Screen Bites: Saying Goodbye: Season and Series Finales of Genre Shows

Watchers, recently we have said goodbye to some of our favorite shows, whether just until they next return, or perhaps, sadly, for good. Several genre shows got cancelled this year, some leaving fans hanging without a clear and decisive ending. If we’re lucky, shows end by agreement, with a plan and a proper send-off by its loose ends being tied up, such as Being Human. Often, however, cliffhanger season finales end up being series finales since the showrunners don’t know the show’s fate at the time they are writing.

This year, I was most bothered by the cancellation of these three shows that did not get to end properly: Almost Human, The Tomorrow People, and Revolution. Almost Human did get an ending of sorts, and though there were a few unanswered questions, at least there was not a cliffhanger. I enjoyed The Tomorrow People all season long, but have conflicting feelings about the finale. Some of it I liked, but I found the beginning plagued by what I can only describe as over-acting by some of the cast. Though the show did not exactly end on a cliffhanger, it was certainly setting up next season.

Revolution had great promise for next season, I think. I really enjoyed the show all along, and felt as though the new story they set up would have worked really well. I think I will miss Revolution most out of the three I mentioned.

The often silly but also very entertaining The Neighbors also met its demise, which I was also sorry to hear. I didn’t watch until this season, but always thoroughly enjoyed it.

As far as season finales go, some we have already discussed here, but I would like to say a bit about Supernatural. SPOILER ALERT! I have heard a lot of grumbling from some people about this season, but I thought it was quite good, and the last scene of the finale certainly sets up an intriguing story for next season, though I do wonder how long Demon Dean will be around.

So, Watchers, what about you? What genre shows were you particularly sorry to see go? Which season finales did you really like, or not enjoy (try to avoid spoilers, please).

True Blood and Falling Skies return June 22nd, Defiance on June 29th, and Dominion premieres that night, as well. Which will you be watching?

About Carol

A book reviewer and editor at Bitten by Books since 2008, Carol reads extensively in the urban fantasy genre, and also writes the column on genre television, Screen Bites. Serving as the director of the Urban Fantasy track at Dragon Con, Carol also works at Coastal Magic (formerly Olde City, New Blood), and AnachroCon, and for the last three years has been one of the organizers for a small literary festival in the town where she lives. When not reading, writing reviews, or working at conventions, Carol spends as much time as possible with her three amazing grandsons.

I’m just watching the last season of True Blood now on netflix (don’t have HBO.) I really hope no one I know spoils the ending! I’m looking forward to the return of Defiance and the start of Dominion. I watched all of the first season of Revolution and thought it had a great premise, but after a few episodes into season 2 I started to let it pile up on my dvr. Mostly I couldn’t get past how much I didn’t like Charlie.
I’m really pissed about Almost Human. I know I’m not the only one to draw parallels to how Fox did the same thing to it as it did when it bungled Firefly. Fox shouldn’t be allowed to get its paws on any scifi show ever again.
I liked The Neighbors, too. I saw the ratings for it when they moved it to Fridays and it looked to me like they regularly got somewhere in the neighborhood of almost 5 million people to watch it live. I’m no tv exec, but I can’t imagine that didn’t make them enough money to keep it alive.
I suppose I should be glad that not everything I like gets renewed (although I go crazy with no closure) and that there are a bunch of shows on that I have no interest in. I watch too much tv already.

I will be watching True Blood, Dominion, Defiance and Falling Skies plus I am looking forward to The Strain which is based on the 3 books. If the series is even close to the storyline it will be fantastic. I also home Dracula comes back as it was just getting good. Is anyone watching the Penny Dreadful stories

I will be watching True Blood…possibly Defiance (I liked the 1st season but just sort of drifted so we’ll see how I feel). Really just looking forward to the new fall season (and the return of Sleepy Hollow!!!!), there seems to be some very promising shows this year.

I’m really upset about Almost Human, I really liked that show!! I’m also looking forward to The Strain, fingers crossed it does the books justice, and I’ll be watching Defiance. Of course True Blood will be on the menu, plus I’m looking forward to Face Off on the sci-fi channel. I just loved watching that, I even bought all the past seasons. It’s like America’s Next top model with the drama, but for fans of horror and geekiness.